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Aug 01

Symptoms of Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary artery disease occurs when arteries supplying blood to the heart muscle become narrow and hardened. This reduces blood flow to the heart and can cause the heart to weaken, spasm or develop an irregular heartbeat. If not treated, this will eventually lead to a heart attack and heart failure.

Symptoms of coronary artery disease will usually flare up during physical exertion, like exercise, or times of stress. Even eating can induce symptoms because it requires extra oxygen and blood flow to the heart and digestive system. These symptoms will usually go away within a few minutes after ceasing the exertion or with alleviation of the stress and with rest.

What Are the Symptoms?

Angina is the most common symptom of coronary artery disease. This is a feeling of tightness in the chest. Some patients describe it as a heavy weight on their chest or as though someone is sitting on top of them. Some also describe it as a numbing sensation or an ache. Angina is not always felt in the chest. It can feel like a tightening in the back, neck or arm. Angina pain can even extend sometimes into the abdomen and cause nausea or vomiting.

If an artery is very narrow and very little oxygen and blood is getting through to a section of the heart muscle, unstable angina can occur. This is angina pain that happens even when there is no physical exertion or stress, and it does not go away with rest. The pain has even been known to wake up patients from a sound sleep.

Shortness of breath can go hand-in-hand with the pain of angina. The sensation of tightening in the chest can make it difficult to breath freely. Also, patients may quickly break out in a sweat or their skin may feel cold and clammy. The heart may race or feel as though it is fluttering in the center of the chest or even skipping beats.

How Do These Symptoms Differ from a Heart Attack?

Both coronary artery disease and a heart attack can have the same symptoms. Generally, symptoms of coronary artery disease will go away within 15 minutes of rest. Some people may have coronary artery disease for some time without any symptoms. They are not generally diagnosed until they exhibit the above symptoms, but it is usually the first sign of a heart attack.

It is very important that heart attacks be treated early to survive them. If you are experiencing any of the above coronary artery disease symptoms, schedule an appointment at NanoHealth Associates, with offices in Hollywood and Tampa. Even if it is angina and not a heart attack, it is important to know if you have coronary artery disease so that you can get the proper treatment. Contact us today to book your consultation.